Dear {First Name},

Happy June! This month marks the end of our 2021/2022 season. We have spent the past season reflecting on the theme of Transformation, and considering all of the changes, developments, modifications and adaptations we've had to make, transformation was definitely at the front of our minds. 

Thank you so much for your continuing interest and love for Place des Arts. We are so happy that throughout this year we have been able to change and grow with our community to better serve you. We dedicate our time to share our love of the arts and it is always rewarding to see that love being carried forward. We hope to see you at future events, exhibitions and during our 2022/2023 50th anniversary season. 

On June 3, we have a fantastic exhibition celebrating members of the PdA community and the launch of our community art project that highlights First Nations art and culture. Find out more about both of these events below. 

Here's to a sunny June and the school year ending for many of our students! 

Aurora van Roon

Communications Coordinator

Images from left to right: Hornby Sunset, Catherine Dumaine; Mother Earth, Clarissa Banos; Trikafta, Jane Dunne

Our Community Exhibition showcases artwork created by the Place des Arts community including current and past students, teachers and staff of all ages.

This past season, our theme has been Transformation. After more than a year of social distancing required to combat the spread of COVID-19, we had no choice but to adapt in drastic ways. There is little doubt that the pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a lasting and transformative impact on us.

Be it gradual or sudden, superficial or profound, once transformed – like a caterpillar to a butterfly – something new emerges and there is no going back to exactly what was before. Each year, our students, artists, teachers and visitors reinforce how the arts can be a powerful catalyst for transformation and creative expression.

Artists were encouraged to reflect on this theme in their Community Exhibition artwork. Artworks that explore the facets of transformation are highlighted throughout the exhibition with individual artist statements.

Join us for this celebration of Place des Arts’ vibrant and creative community! This exhibition is on view in the Atrium from June 3-23 and online at www.placdesarts.ca/exhibitions from June 10 to August 31.

Join us on June 3 from 7:00-9:00 pm for the exhibition opening reception. On June 3, we are also holding the launch of our community art project: Sharing Culture through the Natural World. Find out more below.

It has been four years since we launched our new website with our new branding. This year, after surveying our staff and some of our clients, we gave it a refresh to better serve you and to make it easier to navigate. We are so excited to share the changes with you! 

Our new website also features our new 50^th Anniversary logo! 

Join Place des Arts alongside First Nations artist Christine Mackenzie and take part in a community art project titled Sharing Culture through the Natural World which celebrates multiculturalism through First Nations art and culture. We are attending events throughout the summer and at each event, a different component of the art project will be completed.

Find out more about Christine below!

We can all identify with the natural world regardless of our culture or background. We invite participants to find out more about the unique characteristics of traditional northwest coast animals, discover which animal they relate to, ask questions and learn more about First Nations culture. Through their involvement, we hope to inspire self-exploration, dialogue, learning and sharing. Everyone’s voice matters. We are all important in our diverse community.

Join us at any of the events below! All are free to attend and each event will feature a different component of the larger project:

• June 3: 7:00-9:00 pm Event Launch at Place des Arts
• June 12: 1:00-4:00 pm Teddy Bear Picnic at Town Centre Park, Coquitlam
• July 16: 12:00-9:00 pm Uptown Live Ultimate Street Party!, New Westminster
• July 26, 27, 28, 29: 5:00-7:00 pm at TD Community Plaza, Town Centre Park
• July 30: 2:00-7:00 pm at TD Community Plaza, Town Centre Park

The final art project will be installed at Place des Arts and on exhibit from September 9-October 19, 2022.

Registration is encouraged but not required. 

This event would not be possible without the support of Metro Vancouver: 

The artist behind our community art project

Christine Mackenzie of the Kwakiutl Nation is a First Nations Artist and Facilitator. Her mother was born in Bella Coola, BC, and is a part of the Eagle Clan. Her mother was a part of the Sixties Scoop and because of that Christine had a hard time trying to find her culture and identity, but through resilience and training she found a way back to her Indigenous roots. She finds inspiration in the natural world and in the eyes of people willing to learn and share cultural ideas. Christine works with traditional/contemporary design and in multiple mediums.

Christine has been doing art all her life but has worked as a professional artist and facilitator since 2009 and was mentored by Anastasia Henry, Haida elder, artist and facilitator. Christine now helps others on their journey with self-identity, indigenous culture, artwork, protocols, truth and reconciliation. Christine speaks only to her life experience to inform her teachings and supports others to facilitate empathy when working with or learning about Indigenous culture. Christine has worked with multiple school districts and organizations. Some artistic career highlights include creating the Transit Police canoe logo, designing sustainable holiday tree pallets for the Vancouver Convention Centre and painting murals in New Westminster. Follow her @sneakynativeart on Instagram to see more of her work.

Public registration for our upcoming season begins on June 27, 2022. 

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and can be completed online at placedesarts.ca, by phone at 604.664.1636 ext. 0 or in person at Place des Arts.

Our annual program guide will be ready online on the same day. You can check our website or follow our ISSUU account to be alerted when it's ready.

CYT is a performance-based training company made up of emerging theatre performers, ages 13-17. This program provides an exciting opportunity for young actors to work with experienced professionals, learn new skills and present captivating performances.

This is a by-audition program, and auditions will be held on June 18, 2022.

HOW TO AUDITION

Review the Auditions Package, fill out the Audition Form and e-mail it to Jessie Au – Sr. Fine & Performing Arts Programmer | jau@placedesarts.ca

Then, rehearse and memorize one of the monologues provided in the Audition Package. Pick the one that interests you most. Before your audition, it is highly recommended you do background research on the character of your chosen piece. You can also choose to perform any additional talents such as dancing, singing, juggling or playing musical instruments during your audition.